three rules for mobile success.

Fact, mobile devices and services are taking up more and more of our personal and professional time. Phones and tablets are getting more eyeballs every day and the opportunity to capitalize on that attention is huge. According to Twitter's Bruce Daisley (Director of Twitter in the UK) there are three rules businesses need to follow in order to succeed in this area. I've added a few thoughts in italics.

1. Authentically mobile - In other words, don't take a communication meant for a different channel and cram it into mobile.
2. Simple to understand - The message needs to be clear and concise. Simplicity is key.
3. Easy to action - What do you want them to do? Make it easy and fast to complete.

the impact social media has on the business of healthcare.

If you hadn't noticed, healthcare is really doing a good job of embracing digital, especially social media. Hospitals, medical device and diagnostic companies and pharma have all jumped in. Now Healthcare Finance News is reporting that the Health Research Institute at PwC US has found that social media is impacting the business of healthcare in nine different ways. They are as follows (with my comments in italics):

1. Communication is shifting to public, more open forums - Where being proactive matters
2. Patients (or consumers) are taking a more active role in their healthcare - Understand their "digital" needs
3. Increased access to information means patients are demanding more transparency - This means your marketing needs to work overtime, what are you really selling?
4. More instant feedback can help both consumers and organizations - A win-win, but be mindful of the fact that instant does not always equal with quality
5. Social information is impacting how and when patients select treatment and providers - So be active, participate and learn from others in the your space
6. Social media allows for higher levels of trust -Take advantage of this opportunity
   
7. Social media is evolving from a marketing tool into a business strategy - Very important consideration as it changes how you approach the medium
   
8. Providers can use social media as an outcomes-based measurement - Very useful benefit that impacts both patient and provider
   
9. Health insurers can use social media to help focus on population health - By positioning themselves as a patient advocate health insurers can learn a lot about patients and how their needs can be met through social media

a/b testing and so much more.

Not only does Unbounce have a great product, they also provide great content. I think they've actually mastered the art of content marketing. From infographics, to blog posts, to extensive marketing guides, these guys know their stuff and aren't afraid to share it because they know that builds trust, which is the basis for any solid, lasting relationship.

In a recent post on their blog, Angela Stringfellow outlined 29 ways to a/b test pages based on "real" user insight. I won't list all 29 ways here, you can click on the link above to get the details, but I will highlight a few of the suggestions I thought were spot on.

With regard to user feedback, the five-second test and six-foot test are both very easy and very effective. The five-second test involves having someone look at your landing page for five seconds and try to recall the concept (typically your headline). If they can't, you need to make an adjustment. The six-foot test involves printing out your landing page, taping it to the wall, moving back six feet and asking folks what stands out. It should be the headline and the call-to-action. If not, more adjustments are necessary.

With regard to design, minimalism is better. Don't change everything when A/B testing. Test one element at at time, that way you will know with certainty what is working and what isn't.

And finally, a little eye candy. This beauty outlines the twelve-step landing page rehab program. It is for those of us who have already admitted we have a problem...

12 tips to improve your blog post promotion.

Courtesy of Brody at Divvy and via The Social Media Jedi, here is a great checklist, in the form of an infographic, that highlights what to do after you have written a blog post. I am planning on using this for my posts moving forward...or at least trying my best to!

infographic: crm vs. scrm

SCRM, CRM, so many acronyms, so many definitions...what does it even mean? Well, for starters customer relationship management can mean different things to different companies in different industries. Now that we have added the social element to the mix, it has shaken things up again. In it's simplest definition, traditional CRM involves companies collecting and managing data relating to their customers. What the social element adds is that it is no longer a one way communication, customers now want a piece of the action, or more precisely, interaction.

Here are the key takeaways:

1. Brands need to be responsive as today's customers are empowered and connected than ever before
2.  SCRM is a strategy for strategy for customer engagement, CRM is about collecting and managing customer data
3. SCRM is conversation driven and sales are a by-product

pinterest + instagram = pinstagram

Pinstagram is new mashup that combines two of the hottest web properties at the moment and it does so in a very elegant way. It allows you to view, share and comment on Instagram photos just like images on Pinterest. All you have to do is sign-in with your Instagram account information and voila, your photos appear in the familiar Pinterest layout. Whether a novelty or something that is here to stay, Pinstagram has certainly nailed the current cultural zeitgeist.

prezi launches powerpoint import tool.

This just in from VentureBeat, Prezi, the hipper version of PowerPoint, has launched a tool that allows you to import those stale presentations and freshen them up. Check out the video below and the announcement here.